Spray apparatus

ABSTRACT

Shower apparatus has a pressure fluid conduit with spray nozzles having body portions immersed in the fluid and internal valve members movable between a spray position restricting the capacity of the spray outlet and a purge position in which such capacity is enlarged, the nozzle body portions having inlet and outlet ports differently located in the fluid flow path in the manifold so that the valve members are shifted between spray and purge positions by pressure differential changes between the pots produced by opening and closing a conduit outlet valve to vary the fluid flow rate.

I United States Patent 1191 1111 3,753,529 Baker Aug. 21, 1973 [5 1SPRAY APPARATUS 3,347,463 l0/l967 Baker 239/113 l [75] mentor 3 2:Brooks Baker Foxbom Primary ExaminerM. Henson Wood, 11'.

Assistant ExaminerMichael Mar [73] Assignee: Bird Machine Company, Inc.,South Attorney-Edgar H. Kent Walpole, Mass.

22 Filed: Jan. 26, 1972 [571 ABSTRACT Shower apparatus has a pressurefluid conduit with [2]] Appl' spray nozzles having body portionsimmersed in the fluid and internal valve members movable between a [52]US. Cl. 239/110, 239/113 p y position ting th apacity f th spray out-[51] Int. Cl B05b 15/02 lct and a p g p ti n in whi h such capacity isen- [58] Field of Search 239/106, 1 10, 1 1 1, larged, h nozzle yportions i g nl n outlet 239/112, 113 ports differently located in thefluid flow path in the manifold so that the valve members are shiftedbetween [56] References Cited spray and purge positions by pressuredifferential UNITED STATES PATENTS changes between the pots produced byopening and 3,073,529 l/l963 Baker 239 1 13 clsmg a valve vary the rate3,249,305 5/1966 Baker 239/l l3 5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Thisinvention relates to spray apparatus and particularly to self-cleaningspray apparatus of the type disclosed in my U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,073,529 and3,249,305, issued Jan. 15, 1963 and May 3, 1966, respectively.

In apparatus of the type concerned, spray nozzles are provided withvalve members which are movable between a spray position in which theyrestrict the spray outlet and a purge position in which they areretracted from and no longer restrict the spray outlet, so that foreignmatter that may have collected in the nozzle can be flushed out of theenlarged outlet. Movement of the valve members between the two positionshas been produced by changing the relative fluid pressure conditions inthe two conduits to which ports in the nozzle body are respectivelyexposed.

Such spray apparatus has important advantages over other types and hashad substantial usage in applications where the spray fluid containssolid materials which are likely to plug the spray outlets. However, itis relatively expensive to fabricate, in part because of the requirementof two conduits into both of which the nozzles extend. This requirementhas been met by providing an intermediate dividing wall in a singlepipe, thus dividing the pipe into two conduits having separate flowcontrol valves. The nozzle bodies are fastened in fluid tight relationthrough aligned apertures in the pipe and dividing wall. Such structureis difficult to make, particularly in cases where the pipe must becurved or bent.

The object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus of thistype which operates by changing flow conditions in only a single conduitto which the nozzle bodies are exposed, thus eliminating the difficultand expensive fabricating operations of the two conduit apparatus of theprior art.

It has now been discovered that if fluid flow in a single conduit isaltered between relatively slow, corresponding to spray condition of thenozzles, and relatively fast, corresponding to their purge condition,pressure conditions about the bodies of spray nozzles projecting acrossthe flow change from substantially uniform for the slow flow todifferential pressure on different parts of the nozzle body for the fastflow. Utilizing this discovery, the invention provides a single conduitin which such different fluid flow conditions may be alternatelyproduced, and nozzle bodies having an inlet port located in an areasubjected to relatively high pressure at fast flow and an outlet portlocated in an area subjected to relatively low pressure at such flow,the inlet port being located between the outlet port and the sprayoutlet. Under slow flow. there is a pressure differential between thetwo ports in the direction to move the vnlve members into the sprayposition and hold them there. However. under fast flow. the pressuredifferential reverses direction which moves the valve members into purgeposition.

In preferred embodiments, the inlet port is located in the upstream faceof each nozzle body while the outlet port is located either in theopposite downstream face or the bottom thereof, the upstream face beinga relatively high pressure area to the other two port locations underfast flow. The conduit is provided with a discharge valve at the endopposite the inlet which is closed or substantially so for spray andopened for purge, the capacity of the conduit and valve being such thatthe flow rate through the conduit when the valve is open is muchgreater, preferably several times greater, than the flow rate when thevalve is closed. The valve members are most desirably of the type whichhave an enlargement located between the inlet and output ports.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be more fully understood from the ensuing particulardescription and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 shows apparatus according to the invention partially broken away,the conduit and discharge valve being shown in longitudinal section andthe nozzles in side elevation;

FIG. 2 is a view partly in section, partly in elevation of a nozzle ofFIG. 1, taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section view on line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing the valvemember in purge position; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another form of nozzle.

Referring to FIG. 1, the apparatus has a single conduit manifold 10having a threaded inlet end 12 for receiving a coupling connection to asource (not shown) of spray fluid (e. g., white water in paper mill use)under pressure. The opposite end of the manifold has an outlet extension14 which may, for example, be connected to a recirculation system and iscontrolled by a valve 16 shown in the open (purge) position, valve 16having its port 18 substantially of the same cross sectional size asmanifold 10. Manifold 10 has mounted therein a plurality of nozzlebodies 20 which extend through apertures in the wall of the manifold andare secured thereto adjacent the spray outlet ends 22 thereof by weldingas shown, or by screw threading, so that the outlet ends 22 projectoutwardly of the manifold.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, nozzle bodies 20 are generally cylindricalmembers having an interior chamber 24 in which a valve member 26 isaxially movable. The nozzle bodies are provided with an inlet port shownas a slot 28 which faces upstream in the manifold and an outlet portshown as a slot 30 in the opposite side facing downstream, the inletslotbeing closer to the spray outlet end 22 than the outlet slot. Asshown, the outlet end are formed of plugs having shanks 32 which fitinside the outer end of the nozzle bodies and have a projecting flange33 which seatsagainst the outer end of the valve body. An O-ring (notshown) may be provided in a groove in the outer end of the valve body toinsure a tight seal with flange 33. The plugs have an interior passage34 which forms a continuation of chamber 24, and a spray port 36, shownas a slot of roughly V-shaped cross-section, opening from passage 34through the sidewall of the plug. The ends oibodies 20 opposite sprayends 22 are closed beyond outlet slot 30. A nut 37 is fastened over thescrew threaded exterior end of body 20 to retain the plug in place.

Valve members 26 are in the form of pistons having an enlarged base end38 and a hollow shank 40 open at its end opposite base 38 and providedwith an inlet port shown as a slot 42 through the wall thereof adjacentbase38. The open end of shank 40 has a substantially spherically shapedenlargement 44 which seats against the upper end of passage 34 in thespray position shown in FIG. 2 so as to restrict but not entirely closespray slot 36.

In operation, with valve 16 closed, valve members 26 are in the sprayposition shown in FIG. 2. The spray fluid flows into the inlet slots 28in nozzle bodies 20 and the inlet ports 42 of their valve members 26,thence out the restricted portion of slot 36 beyond the open end of thevalve members to form the spray, as indicated by the dashed arrowed linein FIG. 2 With valve 16 closed fluid discharge from manifold isrelatively small, the flow therein is relatively slow and pressureconditions in the fluid surrounding the inlet and outlet ports aresimilar. The flow through inlet port 28 to the spray outlet creates apressure differential on the opposite side of base 38 which maintainsthe valve members in the spray position of FIG. 2.

At purge, valve 16 is opened to the position of FIG. 1 causingrelatively large discharge from conduit 10 and relatively fast flow offluid therein. The pressure on the upstream face of the nozzle bodiesbecomes greater than on the downstream face, creating a pressuredifferential in the nozzle bodies toward their outlet ports 30 whichforces the valve members toward the outlet ports to their purge positionof FIG. 3. Fluid flows from inlets 28 directly to and out the nowunrestricted spary outlets 36 as well as through inlet ports 42 and thevalve bodies as indicated by the dashed arrowed lines in FIG. 3,carrying with it foreign matter which accumulated in the nozzle bodiessince the previous purge because it was too coarse to pass through thespray outlets 36 restricted by the valve members in spray position. Onclosing valve 16, the original pressure differential is restored,returning the valve members to the spray position of FIG. 2.

Thus, the valve members loosely, freely movable in the nozzle portionsare shifted from spray to purge back to spray positions simply byopening and closing an exhaust valve in a single conduit manifold. Inorder to insure satisfactory operation, the difference in fluid flowrates through the manifold conduit at spray and purge, respectively,should be substantial. For example, liquid spray apparatus constructedaccording to FIGS. 1-3, having 30 nozzles on a 2% inch [.D. manifoldwith a 2 inch I.D. outlet valve, discharged about 70 g.p.m. during sprayat about 40 p.s.i. inlet pressure. During purge the inlet pressuredropped to about p.s.i., about 170 g.p.m. was discharged from thenozzles and about 120 to I40 g.p.m. through the outlet valve. The nozzlebodies were about 3 inches long and had inlet and outlet slots facing asin FIG. 1. All valve members of the nozzle bodies shifted satisfactorilyas required for spray and purge simply by opening and closing the outletvalve.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 produces what is known as a fan spray" whichis desirable for many uses. The nozzle bodies and valve members mayhowever be designed to produce other types of spray, such as a hollowcone spray for which the modified nozzle body and valve member of FIG. 4is adapted, this modification also showing a different location for theoutlet port.

Referring to FIG. 4, the nozzle body 50 thereof has an externallythreaded shank 52 which is received in correspondingly internallythreaded opening 54 in single conduit manifold 10'. Body 50 has achamber 56 formed therein by a bore of generally circular crosssectionextending longitudinally entirely through the body from its end 58within manifold 10' to its end 60 outside the manifold. Chamber 56tapers toward its longitudinal axis at 62 to form a first shoulder andso tapers again at 64 to form a second shoulder, which extends to spraydischarge port 66 of substantially reduced diameter as compared with thediameter of the outlet port opening 68 in the end 58. An inlet port 70is provided into chamber 56 through the wall portion of nozzle body 50facing the inlet to the manifold.

The valve member 72 has an enlarged base 74 formed as a disc which islocated outside the end 58 of the nozzle body and is of slightly largerdiameter than port 68 to substantially close that port when the valvemember is in the spray position shown in FIG. 4. The shank of valvemember 72 has an annular enlargement 76 forming a stop shoulder whichengages a lug 78 on the inner wall of chamber 56 when the valve membermoves to purge position. Member 72 also has an enlarged head 80 whichtapers toward its longitudinal axis at 82. Head 80 is provided with oneor more, preferably at least two, angularly directed or helical externalgrooves 84 which extend to the end of the tapered portion 82. Taperedportion 82 is arranged to seat against shoulder 62 of the nozzle bodyfor part of their respective lengths at their relative positions of FIG.4, so that the sides of the groove or grooves 84 and shoulder 62 formopen-ended tubular channels between the portions of chamber 56 atopposite sides of shoulder 62. A pin 86 extends from the end of head 80and, in the position of parts shown in FIG. 4, extends centrally intospray discharge opening 66.

At the spray position of the parts shown in FIG. 4, fluid entering port70 into chamber 56 flows over head 80 and through the groove or grooves84 into the por-.

tion of chamber 56 beyond shoulder 62. The groove angularity causes thefluid to spiral about pin 86 over shoulder 64 and out spray dischargeopening 66 as a hollow cone spray. As in the case of the FIGS. 1-3embodiment, the slow flow with closed outlet valve to the manifoldproduces similar pressure conditions at inlet port 70 and outlet port 68so that the fluid flow through the nozzle body to the spray outletcreates a pressure differential in the direction to hold the valvemember in spray position with disc 74 seated against the end 58 of thenozzle body.

For purge, opening the outlet valve in manifold 10 (which may be thesame as valve 16 of FIG. 1) causes relatively fast fluid flow in themanifold having a venturi effect on disc 74 producing a lower pressurethan on inlet 70, which forces valve member 72 in the direction tounseat disc 74 from nozzle body end 58 until shoulder 76 engages lug 78.This moves head 80 away from shoulder 62 so that flow of fluid betweenhead 80, shoulder 82 and shoulder 62 can clean out any debris that mayhave accumulated in groove or grooves 84 and flush it out the outlet 66now enlarged by withdrawal of pin 86 inwardly therefrom, together withdebris that may have accumulated in chamber 56 at opposite sides ofshoulder 82. On again closing the outlet valve, the return to slow flowin the manifold reverses the pressure differential acting on the valvemember which restores the valve member to the spray position shown inFIG. 4. If any large debris has caught in outlet 66 it will be pushedout by pin 86 moving back into the outlet.

It will be noted'that in the FIG. 4 embodiment there are actually twooutlets which are restricted in spray position and enlarged in purgeposition, the first one of these being formed by outlet 66 and pin 86and the second one being formed by head 80, shoulder 82, groove has thesame capacity during spray and purge so that 1 the second outlet becomesthe only one providing the.

necessary difierential flow capacity at spray and purge.

I claim:

1. Shower apparatus comprising a conduit having an inlet adapted forconnection to a source of fluid under pressure and having a main outlet,said conduit defining a single passage for the flow of fluid from saidinlet to said outlet, valve means for controlling fluid flow from saidoutlet, a plurality of spray nozzles having body portions exposed to theflow of fluid in said passage, said body portions having inlet andoutlet ports, said nozzles having a spray outlet for discharging fluidto the exterior of said conduit, said inlet port being disposed closerto said spray outlet than said outlet port and in the side of said bodyportions toward said inlet, said nozzles having a valve member movabletherein between a spray position restricting the capacity of said sprayoutlet and a relatively non-restricting purge position, the capacitiesof said conduit, main outlet therefrom and spray outlets being such thatfluid flow from said conduit main outlet may be controlled by said valvemeans to alter fluid flow in said conduit between relatively slow andrelatively fast, said inlet and outlet ports being so located in saidnozzle bodies that said slow and fast flow rates produce respectivelyopposite pressure differentials in the fluid in the nozzle bodies tomove the valve members thereof respectively to spray position and purgeposition.

2. Shower apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outlet port is inthe opposite side of the nozzle body from said inlet port.

3. Shower apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outlet port is inthe end of the nozzle body.

4. Shower apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said valve member has atubular body portion with inlet and outlet openings and fluid flow tosaid spray outlet while said valve member is in spray position isthrough said tubular body portion of said member from said inlet to saidoutlet openings.

5. Shower apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said valve member hasan externally grooved body portion and said nozzle body has a shoulderengageable with said grooved portion while said valve member is in sprayposition so that fluid flow to said spray outlet is confined to flowthrough the groove or grooves thereof.

t i 3 i

1. Shower apparatus comprising a conduit having an inlet adapted forconnection to a source of fluid under pressure and having a main outlet,said conduit defining a single passage for the flow of fluid from saidinlet to said outlet, valve means for controlling fluid flow from saidoutlet, a plurality of spray nozzles having body portions exposed to theflow of fluid in said passage, said body portions having inlet andoutlet ports, said nozzles having a spray outlet for discharging fluidto the exterior of said conduit, said inlet port being disposed closerto said spray outlet than said outlet port and in the side of said bodyportions toward said inlet, said nozzles having a valve member movabletherein between a spray position restricting the capacity of said sprayoutlet and a relatively non-restricting purge position, the capacitiesof said conduit, main outlet therefrom and spray outlets being such thatfluid flow from said conduit main outlet may be controlled by said valvemeans to alter fluid flow in said conduit between relatively slow andrelatively fast, said inlet and outlet ports being so located in saidnozzle bodies that said slow and fast flow rates produce respectivelyopposite pressure differentials in the fluid in the nozzle bodies tomove the valve members thereof respectively to spray position and purgeposition.
 2. Shower apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outletport is in the opposite side of the nozzle body from said inlet port. 3.Shower apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said outlet port is in theend of the nozzle body.
 4. Shower apparatus according to claim 1 whereinsaid valve member has a tubular body portion with inlet and outletopenings and fluid flow to said spray outlet while said valve member isin spray position is through said tubular body portion of said memberfrom said inlet to said outlet openings.
 5. Shower apparatus accordingto claim 1 wherein said valve member has an externally grooved bodyportion and said nozzle body has a shoulder engageable with said groovedportion while said valve member is in spray position so that fluid flowto said spray outlet is confined to flow through the groove or groovesthereof.